Maxilase for the throat, Smecta for diarrhea, Voltarène for the back… These names appear in many prescriptions and medicine boxes, to the point of seeming trivial. However, some of these flagship treatments are now among the
drugs more dangerous than useful pointed out by the independent medical journal Prescribe.
Like every year, Prescrire has published its blacklist 2026 medications “to be discarded for better treatment”. There are 108 drugs authorized in Europe, including 89 marketed in France, for which the review judges the “unfavorable benefit-risk balance”. Enough to question several well-established self-medication reflexes.
Maxilase, Smecta, Voltarène… essentials called into question
Among the best-known products, the
Maxilaseused against sore throats, contains alpha-amylase, qualified by Prescribe
of “an enzyme with no demonstrated effectiveness“and who”exposed to sometimes serious skin or allergic disorders“, underlines the magazine. For common sore throats, it favors simple measures (hydration, neutral lozenges) and, if necessary, paracetamol rather than a syrup without proven effectiveness.
THE Smecta and other intestinal clays, long prescribed against diarrhea, should now be avoided:
Prescribe recalls that these clays are naturally polluted by lead, with no clearly demonstrated clinical benefit. On the pain side, the Voltarene (diclofenac) is also targeted, because it “exposed to increased cardiovascular adverse effects“. When paracetamol is not enough, the review considers ibuprofen or naproxen as NSAIDs with lower risk, at the lowest dose and for the shortest possible duration.
Chondroitin, fezolinettant, gefapixant, andexanet: the four new ones for 2026
The 2026 report adds four molecules to the list. Prescrire explains that they “expose them to disproportionate adverse effects in view of a lack of demonstration of clinical effectiveness, of uncertain or too modest effectiveness compared to a placebo“.
- There chondroitinwidely used against osteoarthritis, “exposed to sometimes serious adverse effects, including hypersensitivity reactions (rash, urticaria, angioedema)“, while its clinical interest remains questionable.
- THE fezolintant (Veoza), proposed to relieve hot flashes of menopause, “exposed to disproportionate adverse effects including hepatotoxicity, digestive and neuropsychological disorders as well as various pains“, explains Prescrire.
- THE gefapixant (Lyfnua), the first drug authorized for refractory chronic cough in the European Union, is accompanied by frequent adverse effects on taste, but also pneumonia and urinary problems.
- As for theandexanet alfaa hospital antidote to anticoagulants, the review estimates that it increases the risk of serious thromboembolic accidents compared to usual care.
A list to discuss with your doctor, not to stop everything alone
The approach of Prescribe is based on a detailed analysis procedure of clinical trials and adverse effects. The editorial summarizes its objective by wanting “help choose quality care, not harm patients and avoid putting them at disproportionate risk“. She also recalls: “In affected patients, when drug treatment seems desirable, other therapeutic options have a better balance than these drugs to be ruled out. In some situations, the most prudent option is not to resort to medication“, specifies the magazine.
For patients, the challenge is not to suddenly empty the medicine cabinet, but to use this list as a basis for dialogue. Some reflexes are highlighted:
- Do not stop a chronic treatment already prescribed alone, especially in cardiology or psychiatry;
- Avoid self-medication with the medications mentioned and seek advice from your pharmacist;
- Talk to your doctor about better-evaluated alternatives, for example paracetamol as first intention for pain;
- Accept that in the event of a mild symptom, no medication may sometimes be the most prudent option.